Artists Studios, Holton Lee Centre for Disability in the Arts

The artists’ studios at Holton Lee represent the second phase of a small masterplan for the grounds of the Holton Lee estate near Poole in Dorset, which provides facilities for less able people in the areas of the arts, environment and spirituality.

The studios are housed within a modest agricultural building, which neighbours an open Dutch barn and is situated some distance from Faith House, the first building of the master-plan that the practice completed in 2002.

The converted building provides four studios linked by a covered walkway and a shared common room with long horizontal windows overlooking the horizon. A series of saw tooth roof lights protrude through the angled roof and add a gigantic scale to what would otherwise be a modest building, allowing the building to hold its own against the large barn that stands beside it.

Completion date: January 2005
Structural Engineer: Price and Myers
Client: Holton Lee Charitable Trust
Photographs: Hélène Binet